PM reveals when next election will be

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has dropped a strong hint about when the next federal election will be held.

Scott Morrison has dropped his first hint about when the next federal election will be held.

The coronavirus pandemic, which has brought with it a recession and jobs crisis, had prompted speculation about whether the government would hold an early election.

Australians could be called to the cast their votes as early as August 7, 2021, unless a half-senate election is called.

But the Prime Minister told a joint partyroom meeting on Tuesday he was committed to the three-year term.

“I’m a full termer,” Mr Morrison said.

“Elections are too hard to win. I cherish every day, we will do it for the time we said we will.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with his family on election night last year. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP

Mr Morrison told his team that when journalists in March asked when the election would be held, it was the “furthest” thing from his mind, and still was.

He also warned MPs to maintain discipline and reminded them they were there to serve taxpayers.

“In political cycles, there are good times and bad times and when things were going well there was a risk of complacency and disunity,” Mr Morrison said.

He went on to quote advice from former prime minister John Howard that “if you stay focused on the job you are doing, you will do it well”.

Mr Morrison won the “miracle” May 2019 election against then Labor leader Bill Shorten.

The Coalition has previously performed well during spring elections with Mr Howard winning the 2001 and 2004 polls, as well as being returned to power in 2013 under the leadership of Tony Abbott.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese will go head to head with Mr Morrison at the next election. Picture: NCA NewsWire/James Gourley

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese in September declared he was ready for the election after finalising a draft policy platform that shapes commitments Labor will take to the next poll.

“Whenever it happens, we are ready,” Mr Albanese told NCA NewsWire.

Originally published as PM reveals when next election will be